Solid state regulator for natural gas

Patent · Tue Jun 29 04:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:6358290

Lawless, W N; Arenz, R W

An apparatus for regulating fluid flow is described comprising: an actuator comprised of at least one block of magnetostrictive, electrostrictive or piezoelectric ceramic material, said actuator having a first end and a second end; an elastomer having an extrudable portion for regulating fluid flow there past, said elastomer disposed along said second end of said actuator; means for applying an infinitely variable strain inducing field to said at least one block; and means for constraining said actuator and said elastomer such that application of said infinitely variable strain inducing field to said at least one block causes variable displacement of said actuator and compression of said elastomer, extruding said elastomer to vary the shape of said extrudable portion and regulate fluid flow there past.

• Assignee: CeramPhysics, Westerville, OH (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5222713
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-823139
• OSTI ID: 6358290
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
440800 -- Miscellaneous Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ACTUATORS
DESIGN
ELASTOMERS
ELECTRICITY
ENERGY SOURCES
FLOWMETERS
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FLOW
GAS FUELS
GASES
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETOSTRICTION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERS
NATURAL GAS
OPERATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PIEZOELECTRICITY
POLYMERS
STRAINS